2004
Idea List: Preparing a Lesson
August 2004


“Idea List: Preparing a Lesson,” New Era, Aug. 2004, 15

Idea List:

Preparing a Lesson

Have you ever been asked to teach or help with a lesson and then felt really nervous? Knowing how to prepare a lesson can help make teaching less scary (see D&C 38:30). Whether you’re helping teach in seminary, church, or family home evening, these ideas can help you prepare.

Prepare Yourself

  • Begin preparing early.

  • Pray for guidance. The Spirit can help you prepare.

Study Your Topic

  • Study the ideas presented in the lesson manual.

  • Read what the scriptures and Church leaders say about the topic (see D&C 52:9).

Decide What to Teach

  • Prayerfully decide what the people you’re teaching need to learn. Sunbeams have different needs than priests.

  • From the manual, choose two or three gospel principles to focus on.

Decide How to Teach

  • Plan ways to involve everyone.

  • Decide which teaching methods—like hymns, quotes, object lessons—will best help your students understand the scriptures or gospel topic.

  • Plan ways to relate the lesson to what the students are experiencing in their lives.

Organize Your Lesson

  • Write an outline of your lesson. In what order will you teach the two or three gospel principles you have chosen from the manual?

  • Decide when you will ask questions to stimulate thinking and participation.

  • Plan when you will use other teaching methods (video clips, gospel art, writing activities, personal experiences, small-group discussions, etc.).

  • Prepare to give the class some time during the lesson to decide how they will apply what they’ve learned.

Get Help

  • Talk to others about your lesson; your parents or leaders might have helpful ideas.

  • Your ward teacher improvement coordinator can help.

  • The manual Teaching, No Greater Call has many helpful ideas, including activities. Find it at www.lds.org in the Gospel Library> Church Publications> Curriculum> Teaching.

Trying to do all of these ideas for one lesson can seem overwhelming. So each time you prepare to teach, choose just a few of these to work on.

Illustrated by Scott Greer